Outlook: New head coach Erik Larka and his Bobcats have their work cut out for them as they take on a Class LL team on the road.

“They have a very good quarterback, run the spread offense and it’s not going to be easy,” Larka said. “But offensively, some of our strengths match up with some of their defensive weaknesses. The key for us is to win the turnover battle.”

Larka said the team has been chomping at the bit to get on the field although the schedule ahead is not easy. After Newington, they play Ledyard next week.

Woodstock at Hamden Hall

6:30 p.m.

Records last year: Woodstock 0-10; Hamden Hall 5-5.

Last year: Did not play.

Outlook: This is one of those games that will not count toward the final CIAC standings as public school teams had to scramble to find games and some had to schedule prep schools.

It will be the Centaurs’ debut under new head coach Clay Killingsworth, a former Woodstock and Norwich Free Academy assistant under Jemal Davis.

“It’s tough to get yourself amped, the kids ready and the coaching staff all on the same page at the same time, but I’m looking forward (to the opener),” Killingsworth said.

Hamden Hall scored a lot of points per game last year (just over 33), but gave up even more (35). Killingsworth expects to see the ball in the air a lot and has adjusted his defense to accommodate for that.

“We won’t pass the ball every down. We want to try and establish a running game,” said Killingsworth, who has installed a more open, spread offense of his own.

The game was originally scheduled to be played on Thursday, but due to a forecast of thunderstorms was moved up to today. Athletic director Aaron Patterson said the game could not be played on Friday or Saturday due to a religious holiday.

THURSDAY

RHAM at Ledyard

6:30 p.m.

Last year’s records: RHAM 3-7; Ledyard 7-3.

Last year: Did not play.

Outlook: The two teams are familiar with one another as both have played in the Southeast Passing League. Ledyard coach Jim Buonocore said if they are expecting anything from the Sachems, it’s nothing less than a full effort.

“We’ve been watching them on tape and they play hard for 48 minutes,” Buonocore said. “They come after you and keep coming after you.”

The Colonels have some growing pains to get through with only eight seniors on the roster. The depth comes from the sophomore (24) and junior (16) classes.

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“The kids are ready and I think we will be a very good football team by the time all is said and done,” Buonocore said.

East Lyme at Middletown

7 p.m.

Records last year: East Lyme 2-8; Middletown 8-3.

Last year: Did not play.

Outlook: Welcome to East Lyme football, Rudy Bagos. Go play Middletown. The former Old Saybrook/Westbrook head coach and East Lyme assistant has one of the toughest assignments of the opening week, playing a team that made the Class L state playoffs and who return 14 starters, including quarterback Dario Highsmith.

“I like being tested early, but this is something totally different,” Bagos said.

The Blue Dragons were ranked sixth in the first New Haven Register football poll of the season and are “big, fast and aggressive,” according to Bagos.

“We have to control the ball and run the clock,” Bagos said. “If we have a lot of three-and-outs, we’re in trouble.”

If there is anything in the Vikings’ favor, they do have 14 seniors on the roster this season.

FRIDAY

Quinebaug Valley at Prince Tech

3:45 p.m.

Records last year: Quinebaug Valley 5-5; Prince Tech 8-2.

Last year: Prince Tech, 36-14.

Outlook: Playing good football, anytime, anywhere: That’s Quinebaug Valley coach’s Joe Asermelly’s philosophy and it’s a good one to have in the Constitution State Conference, where games can literally pop up at any time. The Putnam-Ellis Tech-Tourtellotte tri-op gets to experience a Friday afternoon game to open its season against a team that made the state playoffs a year ago.

“They are a very athletic team with a great group of running backs and facing the hurry-up offense could be difficult for our defense in the first game of the year,” Asermelly said. “It’s tough to simulate their speed in practice.”

Asermelly added the preseason went well oervall with a few injuries sustained, but the Pride are generally in good health to open the season.

Montville at Windham

6:30 p.m.

Records last year: Montville 8-2; Windham 7-3.

Last year: Montville, 40-13.

Outlook: This is a game featuring two teams in “starting over” mode. The Whippets have lost talent like running backs Christian Clarke and Spencer Hill and quarterback Alex Beaudreault. The Indians are missing the majority of their offensive line and quarterback Nick Clemons. The Indians do return one of the more dynamic backs in the area, however, in Jeremiah Crowley (1,983 yards last year) who will have to lend some senior know-how to the offense.

“In week one, you always have to limit mistakes. That’s what we put up on the Monday white board,” Montville coach Tanner Grove said. “We have some first-year starters out there and you have to slow the game down for them.”

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Windham does have a tandem of their own in quarterback Jack Risley, who takes over for Beaudreault, and tight end Dakota Fleming.

The move of the Whippets to the Small Division means this is no longer a divisional game between the two.

Griswold at St. Bernard/Norwich Tech

6:30 p.m.

Records last year: Griswold 5-5, St. Bernard/Norwich Tech 0-10.

Last year: Griswold, 35-6.

Outlook: Returning head coach Sean Ladyga looks at this as a good season opener for the Saints, who have suffered from some hard times. The co-op did give Griswold a little tussle two years ago when the Wolverines escaped with a 20-12 win.

“It’s a great start for us to be playing a fellow Small school,” Ladyga said. “Last year, (St. Bernard/Norwich Tech) opened with NFA. That game didn’t make any sense for either team.”

The Saints will have to try and find a replacement for the player who made them go last season, quarterback Phil Jenkins. They are also battling low numbers again with only eight players coming out from the host school.

Griswold returns with a veteran crew led by left-handed quarterback Adam Davis.

The game will not count toward league or CIAC standings as the two will play each other twice this season. CIAC rules prohibit teams from doing so unless it’s due to a league-generated schedule.

Tolland at Killingly

6:30 p.m. (WINY, 1350-AM)

Records last year: Tolland 5-5, Killingly 3-7.

Last year: Did not play.

Outlook: The Eagles used to be a formidable double-wing offense, but have switched to a more option-oriented attack. According to Killingly coach Chad Neal, Tolland should be effective with that as they have a skilled quarterback and an excellent fullback.

“They are big up front and very well coached, but they did lose 10 starters from last year, nine of them on defense,” Neal said.

The Redmen have decided that freshman Kyle Derosier will get the nod for the opening game at quarterback.

“He had an excellent scrimmage against E.O. Smith,” Neal said. “He threw the ball well and ran the offense well.”

It also means that senior Nick Hewitt can remain at receiver, where he is a threat.

The Redmen will unveil their brand-new scoreboard in the opener. There will also be a moment of silence observed for 2012 Killingly graduate Jay-R Richeeds and Kim Waterman, the mother of Redmen senior Troy Waterman, both of whom passed away recently.

Waterford at Platt

6:30 p.m.

Last year’s records: Waterford 4-6, Platt 8-2.

Last year: Did not play.

Outlook: Once again, the Lancers had better get used to life on the road. The football field may have been completed, but it can’t be used again for at least the first month of the season. The track that surrounds the Lancers’ field is now being installed and no activities can take place while that is happening.

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So, the Lancers have to travel to Meriden, where they will face a pretty good Platt squad.

“You can see on tape that they look confident, they’re not a team that’s feeling it’s way around,” said Waterford coach Mike Ellis.

Ellis knows he needs a game from his three backfield stalwarts, senior running backs Bishme Sheppard and Joe Gustafson and quarterback Seth Hoagland if the Lancers are going to have a chance versus Platt.

The Lancers scrimmaged two of the better teams in the state, Hand and NFA, to get ready for the opener.

“We struggled, but we know where we’re at,” Ellis said. “It helped us to get ready for the speed we have to play at. We have lots of inexperience. That leads to indecision and that slows you down.”

Fitch at LaSalle Academy (R.I.)

7 p.m.

Records last year: Fitch 8-2; LaSalle Academy 10-2.

Last year: Did not play.

Outlook: New Falcons head coach Jordan Panucci admits it’s a little difficult to believe the first game of the season is just around the corner.

“I just want to get through the week,” Panucci said. “Get through the nerves, man the ship, dot the i’s and cross the t’s and fix the little things.”

And then go across the border on Friday to play one of the best teams in the Ocean State. The Rams may have suffered losses to North Attleboro, Mass. and Bishop Hendricken last year (the latter in a R.I. state championship game), but were still voted No. 1 in the state.

Panucci said LaSalle doesn’t air the ball out a lot, but has plenty of size and experience up front.

“We’re just going to have to get after them,” Panucci said.

SATURDAY

Plainfield at New London

At Coast Guard Academy

11 a.m.

Records last year: Plainfield 5-5; New London 7-3.

Last year: New London, 41-0.

Outlook: The big problem for Plainfield this weekend will be tempo. It’s bad enough facing the Whalers in the middle part of the season. It’s almost impossible in week one with their no-huddle, quick strike offense.

“They do a great job in the spread, they move you around and that’s a concern for us this early in the season,” Plainfield coach Pat Smith said.

Both teams suffered considerable losses from a year ago with the Panthers relying on a pair of juniors, Steve Jankowski at quarterback and Jordan Federer in the backfield to ignite their offense.

The Whalers do return running back Orrin Parke, who caused the Panthers fits last season, but, like last year, are not very big up front.

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The game is being played at the Coast Guard Academy because the New London bleachers are not ready for use yet.